Unoccupied Social Housing Units in Arona Highlight Ongoing Housing Crisis

In La Camella, a locality in southern Tenerife, a striking situation persists: 35 social housing apartments have remained unoccupied for an astonishing 14 years, despite their completion back in 2011. This scenario raises serious questions about the effectiveness of urban planning and the management of public resources in one of the most densely populated areas of the Canary Islands.

Challenges in Housing Development and Urban Planning

The apartments are located in a region characterized by a high demand for affordable housing, yet they have faced a myriad of challenges that have prevented their utilization. Issues such as urban planning failures, legal disputes, and bureaucratic inefficiencies have plagued the project from its inception. As the waiting list for low-income housing in Arona continues to swell, the urgency for viable solutions becomes increasingly apparent.

Javier Baute, the Councillor for Urban Planning and Land Management, has voiced his concerns regarding the situation, stating, “This is yet another example of Arona’s situation — we’re not doing well.” His remarks underscore the pressing need to address the long-stalled La Camella project, particularly as other significant developments in the area are now moving forward. The contrast between these progressing projects and the stagnant apartments highlights a troubling disparity in the municipality’s approach to housing.

Financial Implications of Stalled Projects

The financial burden of inaction is substantial. Since the apartments were completed, the City Council has incurred considerable costs, spending approximately €6,000 each month on private security to prevent squatting. This expenditure has accumulated to nearly €1 million since 2011, illustrating the severe financial implications of the ongoing bureaucratic deadlock. The funds allocated for security could have been redirected towards addressing the housing crisis, further emphasizing the need for effective governance.

The roots of this predicament can be traced back to 2002 when the Arona administration, led by Miguel Delgado, entered into a planning agreement with a developer for the La Camella Baja Partial Plan. This agreement included the transfer of a 1,039-square-metre plot to the council, which was intended to facilitate the construction of social housing units. However, the subsequent developments have not unfolded as planned, leading to the current state of disarray.

Legal Complications and Their Consequences

In 2006, during the tenure of José Alberto González Reverón as mayor, the council collaborated with the public housing company Visocan to construct the 35 social housing units, along with necessary parking spaces. The council was tasked with ensuring that the land was fully developed to enable the delivery of these homes. However, complications arose when, in 2008, the municipal governing board issued a building license despite warnings from the Urban Planning legal department that the deadline for land development had lapsed and no construction had taken place. The decision to proceed with construction led to a series of complications that would have lasting repercussions.

Upon completion in 2011, Visocan sought to connect the homes to essential services such as water and electricity. However, these requests were denied due to the incomplete urbanization of the area. As a result, the homes could not be legally handed over or sold, leaving them in a state of limbo. This prompted Visocan to pursue legal action against the Arona City Council, culminating in a court ruling that mandated the council to pay nearly €2.7 million in compensation. This legal battle not only highlights the mismanagement of the project but also underscores the financial repercussions of bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Today, more than two decades after the initial agreement and 14 years post-construction, the 35 apartments remain sealed and deteriorating. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for affordable housing solutions in the municipality. The ongoing crisis reflects broader issues within the housing sector in Arona, where the demand for affordable living spaces far exceeds the available supply.

Key points

• 35 social housing units in La Camella have been unoccupied for 14 years.
• The apartments were completed in 2011 but remain unused due to bureaucratic issues.
• The City Council spends €6,000 monthly on security for the empty units.
• Arona has one of the highest demands for affordable housing in the Canary Islands.
• Legal disputes have resulted in the City Council owing nearly €2.7 million in compensation.
• Urban planning failures and political mismanagement have contributed to the ongoing crisis.